Proserpine and Midas

Proserpine and Midas

by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date: 15/08/2022

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Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's 'Proserpine and Midas' is a remarkable literature piece that delves into the rich tapestry of mythological narratives, repurposed with the author's unique perspective. The work is comprised of two dramatic plays that excavate the depths of classical mythology while being infused with Shelley's evocative prose and lyrical sophistication. These plays are set against the broader canvas of Romanticism, reflecting on themes of transformation, power, and the human experience. 'Proserpine' presents the story of the Goddess of Spring's abduction, while 'Midas' reexamines the tale of the eponymous king with the golden touch. The text is gracefully positioned within the literary tradition of reimagining ancient myths through a contemporary lens, contributing to the perpetual dialogue between past and present narratives. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, best known for her Gothic masterpiece, 'Frankenstein', was a writer of exceptional range and profundity. The composition of 'Proserpine and Midas' reveals Shelley's intellectual engagement with classical texts of antiquity, offering a deeper look into her creative genius beyond her more renowned works. The plays afford insight into Shelley's exploration of feminine archetypes and critiques of patriarchal structures, likely prompted by her own nuanced understanding of the social mores and constraints of her time. Though less well-known, these plays are threaded with the philosophical inquiries and feminist undertones that characterize much of her oeuvre. 'Recommended for enthusiasts of Romantic literature and Greek mythology, 'Proserpine and Midas' provides a compelling portrayal of ancient stories through the distinctive voice of Mary Shelley. The book can be revered for both its historical importance and literary charm. Admirers of Shelley will find new appreciation in these lesser-known works that bridge the mythical past and the turbulent times of the Romantic era. Readers are invited to immerond themselves in these narratives that have been meticulously preserved and remain just as relevant and resonant today as when they were first penned.

ISBN:
8596547176770
8596547176770
Category:
Plays
Format:
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date:
15-08-2022
Language:
English
Publisher:
DigiCat
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

The childhood of Mary Shelley (1797 – 1851), sounds rather like a dark fairy-tale. Her mother died giving birth to her and she was brought up by a remote father and a step-mother who hated her. Her step-sister was a depressive and later committed suicide and Mary had little in common with her step-brother or her half-brother. As a young girl, she escaped into books and would often read by the side of her mother's tomb.

In 1813 Mary met Percy Bysshe Shelley. He was only twenty-one but was already unhappily married. He was destined to be one of the geniuses of English poetry. The two fell in love and eloped, despite Mary's age. Her father, William Godwin, disowned her, but still she and Shelley were married in 1816. They settled in Italy but tragedy seemed to follow them. Only one of their four children lived very long and then, in 1822, when he was just thirty, Shelley was drowned. Mary lived for another thirty years but she lost the promise that she had shown in the company of her brilliant husband and his friends, such as the poet Lord Byron. The single book that we remember her for belonged to her happy time in Italy.

It was Byron who suggested in 1817, that they each write a horror story. The result in Mary's case, was Frankenstein. As well as being creepier than most other books in the genre, Frankenstein has a far better story-line and is in the end, both moving and tragic. Amazingly, a young girl of twenty gave us the book whose name has become synonymous with horror.

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